I’m fascinated by these tiny details. I love to spend time in my garden, watching bees land on blossoms, butterflies dance through the leaves, and grasshoppers hop from one branch to another. I try to keep my camera (okay, my cell phone with it’s remarkable camera) handy so that I can capture images of these creatures close up. Later, I’ll magnify those images so that I can really look at them, so that I can see each detail, and marvel at the intricacies of God’s creation.
I think most people look at a flower and see just a flower – the color, the shape – but don’t really look at the flower. A butterfly flutters overhead, and we see the orange and black against the sky, but we don’t really look at the butterfly.
It’s the tiny details that make those little creatures what they are. It’s the veins and membranes in the dragonfly’s wings that give it it’s maneuverability, strength and stability. That powdery dust on the lily’s stamen is the pollen that allows the lily to reproduce. And those tiny veins in the maple leaf? They transport water and minerals throughout the leaf.
The same is true in our life. Those little details matter. I’ve heard many people say that God doesn’t care about the little things in their lives. “I don’t need prayer for a cold. It isn’t like I have cancer. God doesn’t care about a few sniffles.” “I’m not going to bother God over whether or not I get the new job I want. I have a job; I’m not going hungry. There are other people who are out of work and starving to death.” “I’m sad but not depressed. God isn’t concerned with my happiness.” “God has bigger things to worry about than me. I’m nothing, really.”
The truth is, God does care about the details. Psalm 37:23 says “He directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
He sees every part of you, every part of your life, and He cares. He wants us to be well (“The Lord…who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.” Psalm 103:2-3). He cares about the work we do (“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands…” Psalm 90:17 and “You will the eat the fruit of your labor, blessing and prosperity will be yours.” Psalm 128:2). He wants us to have joy in our lives (“May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing…” Romans 15:13, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22)
He counts the hairs on your head (Luke 12:7), He knows our sorrows and puts our tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8). He watches over our coming and our going (Psalm 121:8). The list goes on.
God does care about the details. Just like every little detail in the dragonfly’s wings is necessary for flight, every little vein in a maple leaf is necessary for nourishment, and every speck of pollen is necessary for a lily to reproduce, every detail of our lives is necessary for us to be who we are. Every choice, every event, every pain, every joy, every tiny detail is seen by God. He uses every piece to bring about good in our lives and to mold and shape us into the men and women He has called us to be.
Each of us is a “detail” in the world as well. Each one of us has a part to play, an important purpose that only we can fill. Never for a moment believe that you are just one more person on this planet. You are essential and so much more to God than you could ever imagine, and every detail of your life matters to Him.
The next time you’re outside, really look at the details around you. Take a moment to see the greatness of God’s creation and know that you are a part of it.
